Pride and Prejudice
AU Not Cannon
They Called Him a Bennet Too
Language ect. will likely be more modern. Though I will do my best to have Lady Catherine herself (When she does come into the picture) not to speak with slang...I was rethinking that and realized how ridiculous that sounded even to my ears.
Ch. 1
Cold wind bit at the bottom of Elizabeth's long cloak as she hurried up the steps of her friend's home in London and knocked rapidly on the door as it was too cold to leisurely wait outside. "Elizabeth!" Victoria pulled her friend into a warm embrace, shutting the door as she did so. "I wasn't expecting you until next week." The lady then turned and called for a cup of tea to be brought in.
"Fitzwilliam and my father came for a business meeting, so I came too." Victoria's living room held only a large settee, few chairs and a new credenza desk. Elizabeth sat down and watched a young lady pour a cup of tea for both herself and Victoria. "Forgive our pauper look, like I told you in my letter ..." She chuckled. "We are in middle of a move and not all our furniture has arrived."
The lady had fairly dark hair and couldn't have been any bigger built than Jane. Elizabeth marveled she'd walked into the room as if on air. Her head and shoulders did not move as one used to servant's work, but one born of higher status. Elizabeth said nothing as she watched her start to leave when Victoria stopped the stopped the servant.
"Come back Christina, when you put those items up. I wish you to keep Elizabeth company for I fear I have already made commitments this morning. There is no way I can change them. My husband would not be happy as the people I am dealing with have a large share in our business. Nonetheless, I do not wish for Eliazbeth to be bored." Victoria then turned and whispered to Elizabeth. "She's older than she looks, honest. I promised her that wasn't a subject I'd rat her out on though. Please, see if you can't get her to open up. The lady is as honest as the day is long. I've tested her before. Left large sums of money out, or 'hidden', she could have easily taken it all without a word, but she's always returned it." Victoria shook her head. "I know the poor gal could use it; she lives in a horrible part of town. I have offered her a room here, but she turns it down every time." Victoria's speech stopped as soon as Christina's footsteps could be heard returning.
"I will be back shortly." Victoria stepped out of the room and then the house.
Christina sat down and, yet again, reminded Elizabeth of Jane simply by her demire. "I do not bite." Elizabeth spoke softly.
"I'm sorry." Christina tried to relax. "I do not...have not...been around people in a long time. I do my work and go straight home."
"Do you mind me asking why?" Christina minded Elizabeth could tell for the lady stiffened. "Forget I asked, I will tell you about myself?" She was rewarded by the maid's relaxed smile. "I'm the second of five girls." She couldn't help but laugh as Christina's eyes widened.
"No sons? And your father did not div.." Christina instantly went red in the face and shut her mouth.
"No, he did not." Elizabeth did not chew the lady out, wondering if the lady had been kicked out of her home because she'd been unable to bare children. However, that was a question she had no right to ask, so she continued to speaking, "Jane is married to Charles Bingley and lives at Netherfield Park. Mary is not married and lives at home. Lydia married George Wickham; he is military and stationed in the north." She saw no need to mention his like for gambling as it was always kept in check and did not interfere with her sister's household money. And last of all there is Kitty, she married a parson. She lives near to where Lydia's husband is stationed."
"Where do you live?" Christina found herself surprised by how quickly she was warming up to Elizabeth and her fingers untwined themselves and her shoulders no longer appeared to have starch in them.
"Pemberly, though my husband's aunt wishes it were not so. I.." Elizabeth couldn't help but act like Lady Catherine. "Polluted the halls of Pemberly."
"She didn't really say that did she?" gasped Christina in shock who thought all of Victoria's friends had been born not only into money but were cut out of the same cloth as her employer, for Victoria never associated with anyone who thought they were better than others.
"Yes, and then some." Elizabeth told Christina her story in a nutshell and was rewarded by Christina's soft voice speaking slowly.
"You are fortunate, some of us have no family. And some father's never change whether it be towards their daughter or even their own sons." Again, Christina's voice held a barely audible wistful sound to it.
"I'm so sorry." Elizabeth could tell the woman wanted to open up but sensed not in Victoria's home. "How about we talk about other things and then, when you are done with work, I walk you home. I have plenty of time on to spare. My obligations do not start until next week. I really should have waited to come." There was no way she could tell Christina she'd come along with Fitzwilliam and her father on impressions when she'd just met her.
"It wouldn't be safe for a lady." Christina's eyes once again widened. "I live in a rough part of town.
"Out of all my sister's I can handle it. Now, let's talk of other things." As she spoke, she wondered how on earth Christina was handling it herself as she appeared so fragile herself.